By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 22: The Pending Jetty Hawker Centre will undergo a major infrastructure upgrade costing RM298,040, with Kuching South City Council (MBKS) providing a three-month rental waiver to affected hawkers during the construction period.
The project officially commenced following the handover of the site by MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng to appointed contractor Olkendu Enterprise yesterday (Aug 21).
Funded under the Premises Development Programme for Tamu Desa in Sarawak by the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) through the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRED) and the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government (MPHLG), the upgrading works are scheduled for completion on Oct 27, 2026.
The project scope includes improvements to the drainage system, upgrading of existing stalls and floor tiles, repairs to the roof and ceiling, repainting works, as well as enhancements to doors and windows.
Speaking at the site handover ceremony, Wee said the project was necessary to ensure the long-serving hawker centre continues to provide a safe and comfortable environment for both traders and patrons.
“This hawker centre has served the Pending community for many years. Through this upgrading project, we want to provide our hawkers with a safer, cleaner and more comfortable place to do business, while at the same time providing a better environment for customers and visitors,” he said in a statement.
Built in 1989, the Pending Jetty Hawker Centre houses 11 lock-up stalls occupied by various businesses, including a cold storage outlet, seafood vendors, grocery shops and food and beverage operators.
The current project follows improvement works carried out in 2025 in conjunction with the World War II Japanese Surrender Monument ceremony. Those works included the installation of awnings, construction of low brick walls along the pedestrian walkway and minor repairs to floor finishes.
The latest upgrade will complete additional works that could not be undertaken under the previous programme.
Acknowledging that construction activities would affect daily business operations, Wee announced that MBKS would waive rental charges for all affected hawkers throughout the three-month construction period.
“We understand that the upgrading works will cause inconvenience and affect the hawkers in carrying out their daily business. Therefore, MBKS will provide a three-month rental waiver during the construction period to help ease their burden,” he said.
Wee stressed that upgrading hawker centres was not merely about enhancing physical infrastructure but also about supporting local entrepreneurs and strengthening the community economy.
“Our hawker centres are important to the local economy. When we improve the facilities, we are also helping our hawkers to operate in a more conducive environment and giving them better opportunities to grow their businesses,” he added.
He also expressed appreciation to KUSKOP, MINTRED and MPHLG for their support and funding, while urging the contractor to ensure the project is completed according to specifications, with strict adherence to quality and safety standards.
Upon completion, the upgraded hawker centre is expected to provide a safer, more functional and welcoming environment for traders, customers and visitors, while contributing to the overall enhancement of the Pending area. — DayakDaily
